Raise a concern: our terms explained

If a situation comes up where the Preliminary Investigation Committee decides there’s no case to progress to a disciplinary hearing, but still has concerns about what the veterinary professional has done (or not done), they may give advice to the professional to remind them of their obligations under the Code of Conduct and its Supporting Guidance.   

Advice from the RCVS remains on a veterinary professional’s record for two years, and will be taken into account if similar concerns are raised in future. 

Case managers are part of the Professional Conduct Department and may be legally qualified. They help the Preliminary Investigation Committee investigate and consider concerns. 

The Charter Case Committee is an independent body set up under the 2015 Royal Charter. The committee can issue warnings (either publicly or privately) to veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses.  

The Preliminary Investigation Committee may refer a case to the Charter Case Committee if there is evidence of serious professional misconduct, but it is not in the public interest for the matter to go to the Disciplinary Committee. For example, this could apply where the conduct or conviction is less serious.  

The Disciplinary Committee is an independent panel that hears the most serious cases about vets and vet nurses. It operates in a similar way to a court. 

Cases usually involve allegations of serious professional misconduct (described in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 as ‘disgraceful conduct in a professional respect’) or being unfit to practise because of a criminal conviction. 

The Disciplinary Committee hears evidence under oath and witnesses are cross-examined. It currently has 16 members in total. Each hearing must include at least five members, with a minimum of two lay members and two professional members. 

Judicial review is when a court is asked to review a decision made by a public body, such as the RCVS Preliminary Investigation Committee. 

The Preliminary Investigation Committee (PIC) is a statutory committee under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. It considers concerns raised about vets and decides whether they should be referred for further action.  

The PIC has seven vets and six non-veterinary members, appointed each year. 

The PIC Chairman provides a report to RCVS Council at four meetings each year. 

The Professional Conduct Department of the RCVS manages complaints and provides advice on the Codes of Professional Conduct. 

The team includes legally-qualified staff, Professional Conduct Officers and administrative staff. They are based at the RCVS premises in London. 

The RCVS Register is the official list of vets entitled to practise in the UK, in line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.  

Vets on the register use the postnominal letters MRCVS (Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) or FRCVS (Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). 

Used to describe conduct by a vet that is so serious it warrants consideration of their continued registration with the RCVS, in other words, their fitness to practise as a vet surgeon. This is behaviour that falls far short of the standards expected of a vet. 

A case will only be referred to the Disciplinary Committee if there is a real prospect of proving serious professional misconduct. 

Veterinary Investigators are experienced vets, such as approved Practice Standards Inspectors, who we appoint to assist with investigations. 

Their responsibilities include visiting vet practices, interviewing the vet under investigation, speaking with practice staff, and gathering evidence from those who raised the concern and other witnesses.